[Glenn and Iris are discussing the possibility of sending Cole to a special school] Glenn Holland: The doctor said that gestures meant... Iris Holland: It's way more than gestures. Glenn Holland: That gestures meant that Cole would never learn how to lip read or to talk! Iris Holland: He can barely talk now, he can't say two or three words! Glenn Holland: The guy is a specialist, Iris! Iris Holland: Ohhh, he's a specialist who thinks that deaf people are retarded and he is not retarded, he is... [Cole is screaming, asking for something and Iris doesn't know what it is] Iris Holland: Cole! Glenn Holland: What does he...? Give him what he wants! Iris Holland: I don't know what he wants, I don't understand what he's trying to say. Don't you get it? You walk to school every day with all these children who are normal. I can't talk to my son! I don't know what he wants or what he thinks or what he feels. I can't tell him that I love him, I can't tell him who I am. I want to talk to my son! I don't care what it costs, I don't care what the stupid doctor says it's right or wrong. I want to talk to my son!

Iris Holland: [Iris is translating Cole's signing for Glenn] Why do you assume that John Lennon's death would mean nothing to me? Do you think I'm stupid? I know who John Lennon is. Glenn Holland: [Glenn turns to Iris] I never said that he... Iris Holland: [Iris continues translating] I cant read your lips if you don't look at me. Glenn Holland: [Glenn looks back at Cole] I never said you were stupid Iris Holland: You must think so. If you think I don't know who The Beatles are or any music at all. You think I don't care about what it is you do or what you love? You're my father. I know what music is. You could help me to know it better, but - no. You care more about teaching other people than you do about me. Glenn Holland: [Cole makes a final gesture, Iris doesn't translate it] Iris... What does this mean Iris Holland: That means "asshole".